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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 4 to 28 of 39. Go back in thread:
Posted by Adam on October 11, 1999, at 19:34:13
In reply to Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by jp on October 11, 1999, at 15:46:54
I've heard Luvox causes less sexual dysfunction in general, and read as much in some
abstracts. However, I've also seen references where Luvox caused just as much sexual
dysfunction as any other SSRI. Go figure.My experiences:
Zoloft: Could do it, but it took forever, and it was difficult to even want to drag
it out for the hour or whatever that it took. Frustrating for both of us (lubrication
only lasts so long). Plus, I gained like 30 pounds on Zoloft. I felt oh-so-sexy after
that.Effexor: Not an SSRI per se, but mostly, and caused even more dysfunction for me than
Zoloft did. Lack of desire. Could "get there" only about 20% of the time. I pretty
much gave up on sex. Did wonders for my personal life.Celexa: Complete, total anorgasmia combined with a strangely less severe impact on libido
than either Zoloft of Effexor. This was just a joy, as I'm sure you can guess. As my
doctor summed it up: "So you can point, but you can's shoot." Tried ginko. Did zero.
Didn't bother with the other remedies. Just got off Celexa. Didn't do anything mood-wise
for me anyway.> Hello,
>
> Which of the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, or Effexor) cause the least sexual dysfunction in men? According to medscape.com Prozac shows up the most favourable. Experienced people please comment.
> Thanks
Posted by sue on October 11, 1999, at 19:45:35
In reply to Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by jp on October 11, 1999, at 15:46:54
I'm not a man. Serzone has caused NO sexual dysfunction in me (it's not an SSRI). It worked for my depression. It makes me tired though.
Paxil and Zoloft made me unable to have an orgasm. Remeron made me fat and disinterested in sex (achy, arthritic).
Posted by Jane (janey girl) on October 11, 1999, at 20:13:17
In reply to Re: Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by sue on October 11, 1999, at 19:45:35
Female experience:
Zoloft -- No desire whatsoever. Forgot about sex.
Effexor -- Sex drive came back - WOW. Darn anorgasmia
got me with this drug.Wellbutrin -- Holy moly, screams are breaking windows.
Wish I had someone to keep up with me.
Posted by Bob on October 11, 1999, at 23:24:29
In reply to Still not a man, but..., posted by Jane (janey girl) on October 11, 1999, at 20:13:17
From a macho perspective, I guess that applies here as well 8^P.
Any SSRI has had the same effect. My girlfriend gets quite jealous of my new partner, Ann ...
... Ann Hedonia, that is.Right now, my idea of a good time is that chocolate cheescake soft-serve cone I got from Tasty-Dee-Light on my way home today.
Tried ... HAH! my brain is frozen, can't come up with a name, so I think to myself, "What *IS* that f*cking drug? ..." (Pun not intended) ... Viagra. Very interesting effect, from an evolutionary psych perspective. Definitely boosted some rather primal urges, but the desire remained purely physical for me. The emotion, the connection, the love was missing ... and I found that extremely disturbing and upsetting.
whatever
bob
Posted by jp on October 12, 1999, at 2:28:18
In reply to Re: Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by Adam on October 11, 1999, at 19:34:13
I wonder if anyone has ever done a proper study on this with undisputable results...
I have heard of Wellbutrin, but cannot get hold of it in the UK... even though it would probably be perfect for me as I have ADD & depression. I have heard though that it can lose it's AD effects are a few month...
Further readings have shown that it appears that it's really a choice between Prozac & Zoloft. I have tried Prozac previously, and yes, my desire too went straight up to where it was before I got so depressed... and that was way up high... :)
How does Zoloft & Prozac compare in AD effects?
I am currently trying Serzone at nights, but am not too impressed by it's effects.
Janey: Hope you're gonna find someone that can keep up with you... :)
Posted by Doug on October 12, 1999, at 8:33:45
In reply to Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by jp on October 11, 1999, at 15:46:54
> Hello,
>
> Which of the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, or Effexor) cause the least sexual dysfunction in men? According to medscape.com Prozac shows up the most favourable. Experienced people please comment.
> Thanks>I tried Luvox, Paxil, and Celexa. They all caused anorgasmia (very frustrating as you can imagine). I am on day nine of Serzone now. So far it's not caused any sexual side effects.
Posted by Cindy on October 12, 1999, at 9:08:04
In reply to Re: Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by Doug on October 12, 1999, at 8:33:45
> > Hello,
> >
> > Which of the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, or Effexor) cause the least sexual dysfunction in men? According to medscape.com Prozac shows up the most favourable. Experienced people please comment.
> > Thanks
>
> >I tried Luvox, Paxil, and Celexa. They all caused anorgasmia (very frustrating as you can imagine). I am on day nine of Serzone now. So far it's not caused any sexual side effects.
I'm not a man, but have tried several SSRI's.
Prozac: nice personality effects (more self-confident, less depressed) but no desire and no ability to climax.
Luvox: total anorgasmia, even at a fairly low dose. Also total lack of desire or ability for arousal.
Zoloft: able to be aroused, but unable to climax. (All dressed up and nowhere to go!)
Serzone: no effect on my OCD, but back to normal sexual functioning. There is a God! It took a couple weeks the first time to get over some tiredness, thirst, and strange feelings (anger, irritability), but they diminished. And when I went back to Serzone after trying Zoloft, the side effects did not recur even at 450 mg/day. And life is OK again!
Posted by saint james on October 12, 1999, at 11:23:17
In reply to Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by jp on October 11, 1999, at 15:46:54
> Hello,
>
> Which of the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, or Effexor) cause the least sexual dysfunction in men? According to medscape.com Prozac shows up the most favourable. Experienced people please comment.
> Thanks
James here...For me Effexor at any dose and Remeron at low dose have the least effect on sex drive or desire.
No AD effects function in me.j
Posted by Sean on October 12, 1999, at 13:19:52
In reply to Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by jp on October 11, 1999, at 15:46:54
> Hello,
>
> Which of the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, or Effexor) cause the least sexual dysfunction in men? According to medscape.com Prozac shows up the most favourable. Experienced people please comment.
> ThanksHad bad luck with Zoloft on this front. I did,
however, find that over time, I actaully "re-trained" my
nerves somehow by, uh, er, practicing...
Posted by Cindy on October 12, 1999, at 21:34:09
In reply to Re:SSRI dysfunction : Zo is a No-go, posted by Sean on October 12, 1999, at 13:19:52
> > Hello,
> >
> > Which of the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, or Effexor) cause the least sexual dysfunction in men? According to medscape.com Prozac shows up the most favourable. Experienced people please comment.
> > Thanks
>
> Had bad luck with Zoloft on this front. I did,
> however, find that over time, I actaully "re-trained" my
> nerves somehow by, uh, er, practicing...Sean, you're lucky! I practiced and practiced, but never got anywhere even after 4 hours!!!
Posted by Annie on October 12, 1999, at 22:28:52
In reply to Re: Still not a man, but..., posted by Bob on October 11, 1999, at 23:24:29
here as well 8^P.
>
> Any SSRI has had the same effect. My girlfriend gets quite jealous of my new partner, Ann ...
>
>
> ... Ann Hedonia, that is.
>
Bob
I'm glad I could be partners with you! I suspect you are trying to get rid of me though!
Am I right? LOLOLAnnie
aka AnnieDonia@aol.com
Posted by diane on October 12, 1999, at 22:33:24
In reply to it never ends..., posted by jp on October 12, 1999, at 2:28:18
> I am currently trying Serzone at nights, but am not too impressed by it's effects.
serzone took about 4-5 weeks to fully kick in for me in terms of antidepressant effects...
Posted by Um, not really Bob at all ... on October 13, 1999, at 12:31:08
In reply to Re: Still not a man, but..., posted by Annie on October 12, 1999, at 22:28:52
> I'm glad I could be partners with you! I suspect you are trying to get rid of me though!
> Am I right? LOLOL
>
> Annie
> aka AnnieDonia@aol.comI **TOLD** you not to ... er, um, well, I guess I *did* open my mouth first ... ;^)
Posted by Sean on October 13, 1999, at 12:40:30
In reply to Re:SSRI dysfunction : Zo is a No-go, posted by Cindy on October 12, 1999, at 21:34:09
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > Which of the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, or Effexor) cause the least sexual dysfunction in men? According to medscape.com Prozac shows up the most favourable. Experienced people please comment.
> > > Thanks
> >
> > Had bad luck with Zoloft on this front. I did,
> > however, find that over time, I actaully "re-trained" my
> > nerves somehow by, uh, er, practicing...
>
> Sean, you're lucky! I practiced and practiced, but never got anywhere even after 4 hours!!!Well, me too, but it took over a *month* if you
can believe it! And even then things were a bit
capricious and took forever. But taking "forever"
is not necessarily a bad thing for a guy...
I think it may be a bit tougher for females. Such
weird side effect, numb genitalia. I wonder what
Freud would say?Sean.
Posted by jp on October 13, 1999, at 14:57:16
In reply to Re: Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by Cindy on October 12, 1999, at 9:08:04
When I tried Prozac i felt very good already after a couple of days... felt great, confident, and sexually confident too.
I too am on day 9 of Serzone. It seems to work a little on things like bad dreams etc (I am on onetime dose at night, managed to gradually go up to 500mg as recommended).
Anyone else been on both? Please let me know how they compared for you.
jp
Posted by Cindy on October 13, 1999, at 21:16:37
In reply to Serzone vs Prozac, posted by jp on October 13, 1999, at 14:57:16
> When I tried Prozac i felt very good already after a couple of days... felt great, confident, and sexually confident too.
>
> I too am on day 9 of Serzone. It seems to work a little on things like bad dreams etc (I am on onetime dose at night, managed to gradually go up to 500mg as recommended).
>
> Anyone else been on both? Please let me know how they compared for you.
>
> jpJP, I've been on both Prozac (60 mg/day) and Serzone (450 mg/day). Stopped the Prozac due to inability to climax. Otherwise, it worked OK for a while but then seemed to lose its antidepressant and anti-OCD effect (took it for l0 years!). Have taken Serzone x2, first for three weeks by itself then with Luvox for three weeks; the Luvox was also a bummer in terms of sexual side effects. Tried Zoloft next, with the same inability to climax. Now am back on Serzone 450 mg/day and noticed an antidepressant effect within the first week (I think it takes a high dose to counteract the depression...unfortunately, I don't know if it will have any beneficial effect on the OCD).
Posted by david on October 16, 1999, at 19:16:02
In reply to Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by jp on October 11, 1999, at 15:46:54
> Hello,
>
> Which of the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, or Effexor) cause the least sexual dysfunction in men? According to medscape.com Prozac shows up the most favourable. Experienced people please comment.
> ThanksFlouvoxamine causes the least sexual dysfunction
Posted by Brandon on October 16, 1999, at 23:41:24
In reply to Re: Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by david on October 16, 1999, at 19:16:02
> Flouvoxamine causes the least sexual dysfunctionIs this personal opinion or do you have studies which support this?...I have heard many coin the phrase "chemical castration" when referring to Luvox.
Posted by saint james on October 17, 1999, at 1:08:00
In reply to Re: Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by Brandon on October 16, 1999, at 23:41:24
>
> > Flouvoxamine causes the least sexual dysfunction
>
> Is this personal opinion or do you have studies which support this?...I have heard many coin the phrase "chemical castration" when referring to Luvox.James here...
I don't think anyone can answer this question ( using all men as the group) All AD's cause sexual problems in some people, there are not any that don't have this effect in everybody. It is more a question of finding one that does not cause this effect in you. Trial and error is the process that works the best%
Posted by jennyann on October 17, 1999, at 11:00:53
In reply to Re: Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by saint james on October 17, 1999, at 1:08:00
what I find disturbing is that most clinical trials are done using the male population; the percentages and statistics regarding side effects are based primarily on information gathered from a male population. Atlest I know this is true for SSRI and sexual dysfunction...most info is regarding premature ejaculation or inability to achieve erection. My AP said that if we were to consider to female population along with the male population regarding this side effect, the stats would sky rocket. I know I have experienced this side effect on paxil, zoloft and now celexa.....oooh the mysogyny of the pharmeceutical/medical world is frustrating....just thought I would vent.....
JennyAnn
Posted by Rick on October 17, 1999, at 15:57:07
In reply to Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by jp on October 11, 1999, at 15:46:54
Sorry, I couldn't resist...but I've read that if the user, ummm, sticks it out 3-6 months (!), anorgamsmia and sexual desire fully return in about half of male users who suffered SSRI sexual dysfunction. Did anyone, "hang on" that long before dropping the offending med? And still no relief?
Interestingly, I understand that those with social phobia (and perhaps some other comorbid conditions) are the most likely to suffer strong side effects (sexual and otherwise) from AD's.
BTW, MAOI Nardil had a weird effect on me sexually. It INCREASED desire and INCREASED sexual pleasure sensations, but orgasm was imposiible. What a weird juxaposition. You'd think increased sensation would ENCOURAGE the ejaculation mechanism, rather
than inhibit it.Other MAOI's have less sexual dysfunction, but except for Manerix (unavailable in the U.S.), they all require food restrictions at theraputic doses.
While it's not marketed for GAD, I understand that BuSpar at 90mg+ (and a good four weeks) can be a great AD, and actually ENHANCES sexual desire and function.
Rick
> Hello,
>
> Which of the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, or Effexor) cause the least sexual dysfunction in men? According to medscape.com Prozac shows up the most favourable. Experienced people please comment.
> Thanks
Posted by Rick on October 17, 1999, at 16:01:53
In reply to But did anybody try sticking it out?, posted by Rick on October 17, 1999, at 15:57:07
My apologies for the obvious typos in my post above (e.g., should say BuSpar IS marketed for GAD)
----
> Sorry, I couldn't resist...but I've read that if the user, ummm, sticks it out 3-6 months (!), anorgamsmia and sexual desire fully return in about half of male users who suffered SSRI sexual dysfunction. Did anyone, "hang on" that long before dropping the offending med? And still no relief?
>
> Interestingly, I understand that those with social phobia (and perhaps some other comorbid conditions) are the most likely to suffer strong side effects (sexual and otherwise) from AD's.
>
> BTW, MAOI Nardil had a weird effect on me sexually. It INCREASED desire and INCREASED sexual pleasure sensations, but orgasm was imposiible. What a weird juxaposition. You'd think increased sensation would ENCOURAGE the ejaculation mechanism, rather
> than inhibit it.
>
> Other MAOI's have less sexual dysfunction, but except for Manerix (unavailable in the U.S.), they all require food restrictions at theraputic doses.
>
> While it's not marketed for GAD, I understand that BuSpar at 90mg+ (and a good four weeks) can be a great AD, and actually ENHANCES sexual desire and function.
>
> Rick
> > Hello,
> >
> > Which of the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, or Effexor) cause the least sexual dysfunction in men? According to medscape.com Prozac shows up the most favourable. Experienced people please comment.
> > Thanks
Posted by JohnL on October 17, 1999, at 17:05:19
In reply to But did anybody try sticking it out?, posted by Rick on October 17, 1999, at 15:57:07
> Sorry, I couldn't resist...but I've read that if the user, ummm, sticks it out 3-6 months (!), anorgamsmia and sexual desire fully return in about half of male users who suffered SSRI sexual dysfunction. Did anyone, "hang on" that long before dropping the offending med? And still no relief?
I was on paxil for over a year. My entire sex life--libido and function--was pitifully embarrassing the entire year. I would never allow myself to tolerate that kind of punishment again. Waiting it out for over a year didn't work for me. Same situation with Zoloft, except four months instead of a year, with the addition of Buspar and Yohimbe. No good. Now if I run into sex probs with any drug, that drug is quickly trashed after a two week look-see. I'm not waiting any three months. Life's too short to put the pleasures of a sexually active relationship on hold. It's bad enough struggling with depression, not to mention losing the last intimate thing you've got left. There's always a more agreeable drug worth trying. :)
Posted by david on October 20, 1999, at 18:27:09
In reply to Re: Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by Brandon on October 16, 1999, at 23:41:24
>
> > Flouvoxamine causes the least sexual dysfunction
>
> Is this personal opinion or do you have studies which support this?...I have heard many coin the phrase "chemical castration" when referring to Luvox.No it is not a personal opinion. I read an article (can't remember where or who wrote it though!) where a researcher tested several ssri's on men- and flouvoxamine had the least sexual dysfunction side effects- my doctor also commented on Flouvoxamine in relation to the little sexual side effects it produces. Serzone is also low on the sexual side effects- but I didnt mention it because it is not strictly a SSRI- it is a pre and post synaptic serotonin blocker.
Posted by Bob on October 20, 1999, at 23:49:19
In reply to Re: Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction in men?, posted by david on October 20, 1999, at 18:27:09
... and what he said was that it varies from person to person. The statistical results of studies cannot be applied to individuals, because those statistics refer to a proportion of a population, not to specific people in a population. The best that study could say is that Luvox showed the lowest rate of sexual dysfunction -- but that statement doesn't mean it won't be chemical castration for you. Not knowing the study or the numbers, such a claim can even be made if, for example, only 70% of men on Luvox had sexual side-effects as opposed to 75% or higher for other SSRIs.
It's like what Disraeli said ... "lies, damned lies, and statistics."
Bob
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